Detecting threats to Encephalartos transvenosus (Limpopo cycad0 in Limpopo province, South Africa through indigenous knowledge

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge contains valuable information which is often essential to biodiversity and species conservation. The traditional knowledge of people in local communities can enhance conservation policies and planning and also reveal local perspectives in relation to endangered species. Cycads as a vascular plant group contain the highest percentage of threatened plant species, at global, regional, national and community levels. In this study we focused on Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy, a cycad species endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa. Despite every effort to conserve this highly endangered species the threats keep increasing and the population keep decreasing. Through indigenous knowledge, we discovered a location of this species not yet conserved within Vhembe district on the Soutpansberg mountain range in Limpopo province, South Africa. Practices such as bark harvesting, and uprooting of young seedlings were discovered at this population. All these practices noticed at this location are detrimental to in situ conservation of the cycads. This study hereby revealed that indigenous knowledge has a great role in cycads’ conservation. Through the local communities, factors that are threatening cycads existence can be determined and the local community can also be integrated in effective conservation plan that discourage illegal harvesting of cycads.